Angioplasty and stent placement are common procedures to open arteries in the heart that are clogged. These procedures are formally known as coronary angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention.
Angioplasty involves the use of a tiny balloon to widen the artery. A stent is a tiny wire-mesh tube that your doctor inserts into the artery. The stent stays in place to prevent the artery from closing. A cardiologist typically performs both procedures at the same time.
Why it's done?
Angioplasty is used to treat the buildup of fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels. This buildup is a type of heart disease known as atherosclerosis.
Angioplasty may be a treatment option for you if:
What are the benefits of a coronary angioplasty?
In most cases, the blood flow through the coronary arteries improves after an angioplasty. Many people find their symptoms get significantly better and they’re able to do more than they could before the procedure.
If you’ve had a heart attack, an angioplasty can increase your chances of surviving more than clot-busting medication (thrombolysis). The procedure can also reduce your chances of having another heart attack in the future.
How safe is a coronary angioplasty?
A coronary angioplasty is 1 of the most common types of treatment for the heart.
Coronary angioplasties are most commonly performed in people aged 65 or older, as they’re more likely to have heart disease.
As the procedure doesn’t involve making major incisions in the body, it’s usually carried out safely in most people. Doctors refer to this as a minimally invasive form of treatment.
The risk of serious complications from a coronary angioplasty is generally small, but this depends on factors such as:
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